Reading coordinators of the 2024 Reading Camp in Valenzuela City gain insight into different effective reading and teaching strategies to properly address the learning gaps of struggling readers. (Photo Courtesy: Valenzuela City Public Information Office)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – Valenzuela City has taken a significant step towards improving literacy among its young students by training 64 public school teachers to prepare for the 2024 Reading Camp. This initiative targets students categorized as “frustrated readers” and “non-readers,” based on the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI) assessment.
The teachers, designated as “reading coordinators,” underwent comprehensive training to equip them with effective techniques for teaching and improving reading skills.
The training focused on addressing the needs of students in Grades 3 to 6 who struggle with reading and pronunciation. Each reading coordinator received modular kits containing essential tools and strategies to facilitate this process.
The Reading Camp is part of Valenzuela’s broader Education 360 Degrees Investment Program, which aims to provide remedial education for struggling readers. The program focuses on enhancing the literacy skills of students who face difficulties in reading and understanding text.
“The Reading Camp offers a support system for young students to grasp the fundamentals of reading, thereby boosting their confidence and improving their literacy skills,” explained the city government.
The training program covered various aspects of reading instruction, including lessons on phonemes and syllables, which are crucial for helping students read words accurately.
Dr. Milwida Guevara of the Synergeia Foundation, who led the training, emphasized the importance of creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. She suggested integrating fun activities like games and role-playing to make learning more enjoyable and effective for struggling readers.
In addition to the reading coordinators, 128 teacher’s aides from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV) also received training. These student volunteers will assist the reading coordinators during the Reading Camp, ensuring that each coordinator has adequate support.
Valenzuela City Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, who also leads the Education 360 Action Support initiative, expressed her commitment to teacher training. She highlighted the crucial role teachers play in the success of the city’s remedial reading program and reiterated the importance of building their capacity through such training sessions.
The upcoming Reading Camp, set to start on July 10, 2024, is expected to involve 1,246 students. It aims to provide these students with the necessary skills to improve their reading abilities, thereby addressing the challenges faced by “frustrated readers” and “non-readers.”
The Synergeia Foundation, a non-profit organization that advocates for quality education, has been instrumental in supporting this initiative by building the capacity of educational leaders to implement effective teaching methods tailored to the needs of struggling readers.
For more information about the Reading Camp and other educational initiatives in Valenzuela City, visit the city’s official website or contact the Department of Education in Valenzuela. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
